DOST chief Renato Solidum remains highest paid Cabinet member in 2025
Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. remained the highest-paid Cabinet official in 2025, earning a total of P6.66 million.
According to the Commission on Audit’s 2025 Report on Salaries and Allowances released on Wednesday, May 6, Solidum's pay in 2025 was P281,000 higher than in 2024.
Solidum’s compensation as DOST chief included P3.52 million in basic pay, P1.62 million in allowances, P1.09 million in bonuses, incentives, and benefits, and P264,000 in discretionary expenses.
According to the audit breakdown, all of Solidum’s earnings came from his role as DOST secretary, as he did not receive any compensation for serving on the boards of TESDA, the Philippine Coconut Authority, the National Dairy Authority, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, and the Philippine Science High School System, per The Philippine STAR.
Former DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla, who was appointed Ombudsman in October 2025, was the second-highest-paid in the list, receiving a total of P5.97 million, about P700,000 higher compared to his full-year salary in 2024.
Here are the other highest-paid Cabinet officials under Marcos Jr.:
- DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma - P5.96 million
- Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian - P5.49 million
- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. - P5.2 million
- Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa - P5.16 million
- Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III - P5.15 million
- Presidential Adviser for Maritime Concerns Andres Centino - P5 million
- Former National Security Adviser Eduardo Año - P4.97 million
- Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. - P4.96 million
- Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon - P4.95 million
Solidum has been serving as the DOST Secretary since 2022.
COA's ROSA report compiles salary and allowance data from 1,003 agencies, including national government agencies, GOCCs, state universities and colleges, and water districts.
The report monitors the pay, allowances, and benefits of high-ranking government officials, including those holding multiple posts across agencies.
